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Infiniti M35/M45 vs BMW 5-Series
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Comments
I am sorry, but I drove the 5 series vs. the M when I went to get a new car in January. I was coming from a Mercedes and an Audi before that and was completely impartial to both BMW and Infiniti.
I liked the design of the 5 series over the rather bland (IMO) design of the M. And the driving experience of the 5 over the M is much better. Again, my opinion. You may have yours.
But I do think the 5 is a much better car than the Infiniti, thought the M is a huge step forward for them, and infinitely (oops!) better than the Lexus, which I didn't even fit it. I am over 6'4".
I aree the styling of the 5 series is pretty nice, especially with the Style 123 Sport Rims. The 18 inch rims give it a very good look. I wish they would have offered those rims on the Xi. I may have jumped on it. Especially to save a few bucks. (The 5 series lease was about $10 less per month)
This is where you find the car's capabilities of braking, traction, steering, and no body roll.
My wife drives a 745Li that avg 26 mpg on the highway. I feel safer in this vehicle with my 1 year old son than in any other vehicle I have driven. Why? Because I know the handling capabilities of the vehicle.
I like the M45, but am partial to BMW because of what I had a chance to experience with it (plus the better gas mileage with a larger car). I have not had a chance to go through the same rigorous driving with the M, but I don't think I need to.
I advise anyone to take the BMW driving school at the BMW center. This is where they actually make the x5 and the 3 series. Besides learning driving skills, you will get a chance to see why you pay the extra money for the BMW. Trust me, you get what you pay for.
It still does not beat my 2000 Toyota Corrola in gas mileage, but my toyota is not a mile long and have 325 horses.
My point is that there is much more going on in the vehicle than meets the eye, which is why most people would say they are overpriced. I agree that they are expensive and may not ever be able to afford to get another one, but that does not discount the fact the it is a performer. Plus I think the maintenence is build into the price. 67k miles and not a single penny paid yet for maintence. New brakes, new torque converter, new worn parts, new trunk motor, etc. Not a penny paid. Tires are expensive, though (which I did have to pay for).
What makes W124 Benz e-class as one of the longest selling model, Inline 6 engine.
The last inline 6 engine in luxury car, ahem BMW 530-535
I hope BMW keeps making them.
I found the electronics on the M to be superior but in driving dynamics it was a distant second. The steering feel was not there. The BMW was superior in terms of suspension and brakes. It also felt more solid- the doors were heavier etc.
I'm sure that the M is a great value and that has to be part of its attraction. It's quick, reliable and offers all the tech goodies of the more expensive cars but to me the BMW experience was a level above, one that you certainly pay for.
Just my 2 cents.
My guess is that the 535i will give the M45 a run for it.
I LOVE the M35x, but the 535xi was def fun to drive!
I wish BMW would only make the car a little more luxurious looking (inside and out).
The question I am curious about is how the 535Xi compares to the forthcoming M45x.
I have not followed the road tests in detail, but I thought I read somewhere (Edmonds?) where they posted a 0 - 60 time for the M45 of 6 seconds, while BMW claims the 0 - 60 time for the 535i/535Xi is less than 6 seconds.
0 - 60 is only one small aspect of of a car's performance, and I'm not trying to claim one accelerates faster than the other per se, but if this one example is correct then they have comparable acceleration. If so, then that would indicate the 535Xi is more of a competitor to the M45x than the M35x.
Thanks
Bruce
On pure performance, handling and feel... the 528 is more like the M35 but IMO better than the M35. The 535 is well beyond the M45 this area.
If you look at features and value, the M35 and 45 win hands down.
V6 vs I6 and V8 vs V8
In comparison test, the M45 outperformed the E500, 550i, Audi A6 and Lexus GS430
Tough to compare the I6 to a car that beat BMW's 8 cylinder.
Its just not far to BMW. The M45 is a different league.
"In comparison test, the M45 outperformed the E500, 550i, Audi A6 and Lexus GS430"
Do you have a link to this test? Or any other test that includes the 5 series and the M?
The 535 is cross shopped against the 550, so cross shopping with the M45 should be expected.
Thanks
Bruce
Regardless, all great cars. But these articles and drving the vehciles had a lot to do with me purchasing the M. Eventhough I also have the E350 as my commuter car now.
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/11738/2007-bmw-550i-vs-2007-infiniti-m45- - -sport-vs-2007-lexus-gs450h-vs-2007-mercedes-benz-e550.html
Thanks for the link. The test speaks well for the M45, but I myself would not interpret it to say its all or nothing for the M45. If the focus is a sports sedan, my take-away is the choice is between the M45 and the 550, and there are valid reasons for choosing one over the other.
The test also shows why some would cross shop the 535 to the M45 if you look at 0 - 60 times. It was measured at 5.9 for the M45 in this test while BMW claims 5.6 for the 535 on their web site- good indication they are comparable notwithstanding the number of cylinders.
Bruce
I'm not trying to compare specific 0 - 60 times per se, just trying to categorize cars by comparable power / acceleration capability- one data point on the scale of performance.
If you look at the C&D test data in the referenced article, the 550 was a half second quicker to 60 than the M45.
If you look at the BMW web site, they claim the 550 does 0 - 60 in 5.5 and the 535 does it in 5.7 with the standard automatic. If you accept the 535 is about 0.2 seconds slower than the 550, then based on the data in the C&D test one could conclude the 535 is faster than the M45 to 60.
I'm only claiming the two cars are comparable in power / acceleration. Based on this, my own personal opinion is the 535 is more of a competitor to the M45 than the M35- YMMV.
Thanks
Bruce
The 528xi would be compared to a Hyundai Sonata.
lol... comparing the 528 to a sonata is a little harsh...
They are taking advantage of you guys in Canada.
I as joking about the Sonata. You ever see that commercial with the Sonata and the 5 Series?
Mid-luxury sedans: The money class
The Infiniti M35 is tops. And the new 'clean diesel' Mercedes E320 has that sweet smell of success
The Infiniti M35 is a class leader in our tests of mid-luxury sedans. But the other big news is that two versions of the freshened Mercedes-Benz E class are close in its rear-view mirror, with the new diesel-powered E320 BlueTec and its gasoline-powered twin, the E350. We tested the rear-wheel-drive base M35 as an update to the all-wheel-drive M35X that we had previously tested and that was our 2007 Top Pick for luxury cars. Not only did this version score nearly the same as the M35X, but it's one of the least expensive cars in the category. (See Infiniti M35: Still the one to beat, available to subscribers.)
The Mercedes-Benz E320 is the first of a new wave of "clean diesel" cars that we've tested. It achieved an impressive 29 mpg in overall fuel economy. (See "The Lexus GS 450h hybrid vs Mercedes-Benz E320 diesel," available to subscribers, for a comparison of the E320 and Lexus GS 450h Hybrid.) For this mid-luxury group, we also tested the freshened BMW 535i, now powered by a new twin-turbocharged engine; the redesigned Volvo S80; and the Lexus GS 450h. Prices for this group range from $45,305 for the Volvo to $60,172 for the Lexus. We tested two wheel-drive versions; each model is available with all-wheel drive.
BLENDING COMFORT AND HIGH TECH
Luxury cars are designed to cradle their occupants in comfort. They surround them with rich materials and a host of convenience features, and they typically have strong, refined engines to provide effortless acceleration. Many mid-luxury models also provide agile handling that adds a sporty dimension to their character.
The Infiniti M35 illustrates the range of driving characters you'll find. Both versions of the M35 are well-rounded, nimble cars that successfully blend sportiness with comfort. They are as capable handling a twisty road as they are cruising the highway. But they aren't as quiet as some other models. (Also see our test of Ultra luxury sedans.)
Several models now offer adaptive cruise control that uses radar to keep a car at a set distance behind a vehicle in front, slowing down or speeding up as necessary. The Volvo S80 takes that one step further. It uses the radar to determine whether you are approaching a car too quickly and, if you are, it will alert you to brake or even slow the car itself.
Copyright © 2000-2006 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. No reproduction, in whole or in part, without written permission.
“An M35x AWD we tested sprinted to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds and ran the quarter-mile in 14.9 seconds. The V8-powered M45 hit 60 in 5.7 seconds and completed the quarter in 14.4 seconds.”
“This 2008 BMW 535i test car with an automatic transmission effectively equaled the acceleration of a 2006 BMW 550i equipped with a manual transmission. The 535i's 5.5-second acceleration to 60 mph proves a sedan doesn't need the 550i's V8 engine to be quick.”
This is not that unusual. I remember a couple of reviews of the new G35 sedan last year noting that the AWD version was quicker off the mark in early acceleration.